Nitrite Spike After Large Water Change- It's Spiked Again

[Prime Ordeal]

I personally dont believe in changing water that often. I do a 25% change every two weeks and my water has next to.nothing for nitrate and no ammonia or nitrite. everybody does things differently.

Don't forget we're talking about an unusual situation here where the production of ammonia and nitrite are excessive due to a very dirty tank.

I think you're talking about a mature filter that is processing ammonia and nitrite as it should and then , of course, there's no need to change the water because the ammonia and nitrite are under control.


There is still a need to change water to reduce the nitrate and if your nitrate build up is so low that you can get away with a 25% change every two weeks then that's ok. But there are other reasons to change water, e.g. to replace nutrients and carbonate hardness and to reduce growth inhibiting substances and other undesirable toxins.

Your stock is fine and no way would it be that amount of fish causing your nitrite to go that high in 24 hours. It has to be 80% the dirty sand to blame as it was rancid and holding all sorts of nasties. Then 20% your filter holding dirt and gungy sand. You have nitrates so your filter was working hard to convert it but obviously the substrate was so toxic it was overloading your filter. I think having a change to a new filter is always a delicate operation even when Adding cycled filter media so there can be problems whilst your bacteria transfers and grows onto your new pads, so testing and water changes will always come into play if things go tits up. If you get problems with nitrites or ammonia I always look at the substrate and filter media being dirty as a possible cause if water changes aren't reducing the problem. Seachem prime can also help whilst cycling your tank as it will neutralise ammonia and nitrites.

There are much, much wiser people than me on this forum who might have a different answer than me but I hope the advise I've given helps your tank. I'm really anxious to see your test results tomorrow, I'm praying it makes a difference.

The correct advice was given in post number 2! i.e. "Also stop feeding for a few days and give the tank a really good clean, this will reduce the ammonia production and hence the nitrite." Could have saved a whole thread if it had been heeded.

I didn't give them an algae wafer last night or feed them this morning. I scrub the tank with the brush everytime I do a water change anyway. Just should have swirled the sand more

If you're going to stay with sand, apart from keeping a good cleaning regime going, I would invest in some snails. They alone will probably stop this type of thing happening again as they constantly churn and aerate the sand.

 

[Ny82]

I personally dont believe in changing water that often. I do a 25% change every two weeks and my water has next to.nothing for nitrate and no ammonia or nitrite. everybody does things differently.

Don't forget we're talking about an unusual situation here where the production of ammonia and nitrite are excessive due to a very dirty tank.

I think you're talking about a mature filter that is processing ammonia and nitrite as it should and then , of course, there's no need to change the water because the ammonia and nitrite are under control.


There is still a need to change water to reduce the nitrate and if your nitrate build up is so low that you can get away with a 25% change every two weeks then that's ok. But there are other reasons to change water, e.g. to replace nutrients and carbonate hardness and to reduce growth inhibiting substances and other undesirable toxins.

Your stock is fine and no way would it be that amount of fish causing your nitrite to go that high in 24 hours. It has to be 80% the dirty sand to blame as it was rancid and holding all sorts of nasties. Then 20% your filter holding dirt and gungy sand. You have nitrates so your filter was working hard to convert it but obviously the substrate was so toxic it was overloading your filter. I think having a change to a new filter is always a delicate operation even when Adding cycled filter media so there can be problems whilst your bacteria transfers and grows onto your new pads, so testing and water changes will always come into play if things go tits up. If you get problems with nitrites or ammonia I always look at the substrate and filter media being dirty as a possible cause if water changes aren't reducing the problem. Seachem prime can also help whilst cycling your tank as it will neutralise ammonia and nitrites.

There are much, much wiser people than me on this forum who might have a different answer than me but I hope the advise I've given helps your tank. I'm really anxious to see your test results tomorrow, I'm praying it makes a difference.

The correct advice was given in post number 2! i.e. "Also stop feeding for a few days and give the tank a really good clean, this will reduce the ammonia production and hence the nitrite." Could have saved a whole thread if it had been heeded.

I didn't give them an algae wafer last night or feed them this morning. I scrub the tank with the brush everytime I do a water change anyway. Just should have swirled the sand more

If you're going to stay with sand, apart from keeping a good cleaning regime going, I would invest in some snails. They alone will probably stop this type of thing happening again as they constantly churn and aerate the sand.

I thought my tank was too small for snails then again I thought my tank was too small for most of my fish I gave away
Thanks I will go get one tomorrow. Is it apple snails?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Thanks I will go get one tomorrow. Is it apple snails?

To be honest I'm loathe to recommend a particular type because the best are Malaysian Trumpet Snails but they will get rapidly out of control if you allow any food to fall into the sand. At any rate you definitely do not want apple snails.

 

[Ny82]

Oh I think that's all they have - the big yellow and green ones.
Ok I just thought i'd test it again just in the off chance

It's 0.25, at least it's not off the chart like it was this morning.My backs killing I don't think I can manage a water change but i'll see in the next hour or so how it is. How much should I do?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Well you should do at least 50%.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Your tank is def. big enough for an apple snail, but mine don't do any turning of my sand. Prime would just one Malaysian snail do much good?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

No, one snail is no good, you need a good few but that's exactly what you get if you're not careful with the feeding and cleaning!

 

[Ny82]

No, one snail is no good, you need a good few but that's exactly what you get if you're not careful with the feeding and cleaning!

I don't feed them that much, just in the morning and an algae wafer at night
Then I thought my syphon was broken but it was just me not being able to do it right
There are so many types of snails for sale online. I like pink ones
Right I shall do another water change I have nightmares of these nitrites!
be back soon

 

[Ny82]

Right just done a water change - 50% and now it's blue.
We'll see what it's like in the morning.

 

[Sask Aquarist]

Ahh the things you can learn in a forum. All this nitrite nitrate talk sure gives a guy insight.

 

[Ny82]

I just want it stable again like it was only last week. I'm going through tapsafe and stress coat+ like there's no tomorrow

 

[balajake]

Good grief that's turned fast. Can I suggest rinsing your filter pads in the old water if you haven't already ?

 

[Ny82]

I did that the same day I put this thread up I think it's post 3 or 4. I could do it again. No doubt I will need to do another water change tomorrow so I will do it then.
Oh i've been looking up snails and I can't have assassin snails or malaysian trumpet snails as they don't like soft water. My water is very soft and PH is 6.

 

[balajake]

It has to calm down sooner or later. If your levels are persisting in this way then it might be a good idea to buy a bottle of seachem prime or nutrafin cycle just to give your fish a break from the rapid rises and decreases. Or you could ask your friend to fish sit for you until your cycle is complete.

 

[Ny82]

It has to calm down sooner or later. If your levels are persisting in this way then it might be a good idea to buy a bottle of seachem prime or nutrafin cycle just to give your fish a break from the rapid rises and decreases. Or you could ask your friend to fish sit for you until your cycle is complete.

Is that not the same as tap safe? I have the interpet bioactive tapsafe, I have the king british safeguard tapwater treatment and I have stress coat+